Texas dad charged after 4-year-old mauled to death by pit bull

Victoria
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More than two months after Kylar Johnson walked away from home and was later found dead, his father has been indicted on charges that include negligent homicide.

As reported by KHOU, Cole Johnson, 28, has been indicted on charges of negligent homicide, endangering a child, and injury to a child.

On March 25, little Kylar wandered away from the family home. As reported by Click 2 Houston, the boy was last seen around 8 p.m. Johnson said his son was playing in the front yard while he was cleaning his car. The father told police he just looked up and Kylar was gone.

Police and neighbours immediately began a search for the 4-year-old. Around 10:30 a.m. the next day, neighbour Manny Garcia found Kylar's body in his backyard. Also in the backyard were 10 pit bulls, all chained to the fence.

A subsequent autopsy revealed Kylar had been mauled to death. The dog closest to where he was found was believed to be the one that took the boy's life.

The Houston Chronicle reports authorities had previous concerns about Kylar's welfare. He had wandered off before and Child Protection Services had conducted two previous investigations into the home. In May 2011, a 20-year-old man died at the home after he accidentally shot himself in the head.

In announcing the handing down of the indictments, Victoria County District Attorney Steve Tyler said Johnson was previously charged with suspicion of interfering with public duties and possession of a controlled substance after the shooting death. Tyler told the Victoria Advocate that the father's conduct shows some negligence. "You know he wasn't keeping a close eye."